In the 17th century it was usually unsafe to drink water, it was too dirty. At first, colonists were forced to use corn to make an alcoholic drink. Later beer and cider were common. For the wealthy wine and brandy were imported. For ordinary people, rum became a popular drink in the late 17th century. In the 18th century, tea became popular.
<em>So it was very very hard to live on a small New england farm.</em>
Giles will never betray someone's trust. Giles is right about his accusations towards Putnam but the court isn’t interested without knowing Giles's sources. Giles would die before giving up sources: and he does